Looking back from out on the bay — floating in the salty mist, with the great Kenai Mountains towering behind me — I love what I see.

Most people, understandably, point their gaze outward from Homer toward Kachemak Bay. That’s the postcard shot. The mountains. The glaciers. The breathtaking, endless horizon.

But sometimes, I turn the other way. I look back at Homer itself.

What I see fills my heart.

The lights of our little town sparkle across the land like stars scattered by a generous hand. They stretch out over what was once a hard, stubborn patch of earth. This wasn’t an easy place to settle. It was a tough, raw, unforgiving spot when the first dreamers set their stakes. And yet, over time, look what’s blossomed:

The coolest little town in Alaska.

An artist’s haven. A foodie’s paradise. A place where entrepreneurs, teachers, fishermen, and visionaries all share the same ‘Pioneer’ Street.

Everyone who comes here can find something to love — and more importantly, something meaningful to do.

This same pride wells up in me every time I step into my own backyard.

When we bought our home, it wasn’t much to look at. A muddy mess, really. There wasn’t a blade of grass in sight — just a blank, brown canvas waiting for someone willing to dream, sweat, and build.

Today, it’s different. Now it’s a peaceful, almost Zen-like garden, with deep green grass that soothes your feet and your spirit. Trees sway gently in the coastal breeze. Flowers lean in toward the sun.

It didn’t happen by accident. It took time. It took patience. It took work — the kind of work that leaves your hands dirty, your back aching, and your heart full.

It reminds me: When you take pride in your town — or even closer to home, in your own backyard — you’re doing something bigger than just tidying up.

You’re building. You’re participating. You’re investing in the cycle of life, trade, community, and connection.

You spend money at the nursery. You hire the local fence company. You trade a few hours of labor for advice from a neighbor. You stop by the local hardware store one, two, maybe fifteen times (because that’s how home projects go).

And in that process, you aren’t just growing flowers or a lawn — you’re helping grow an economy, a town, a shared life.

This beautiful merry-go-round we’re all riding — of commerce, creativity, and care — only works when we each do our part.

It starts small. It starts with a seed. It starts with an idea that you don’t just live in a place — you help build it.

Just like that muddy backyard. Just like this beautiful little town I call home.

From weed seeds to green gardens… From wild ground to a thriving community…

It’s all connected. And it’s all worth it.

Chris Story is the owner and broker for Story Real Estate in Homer.